Angola can’t stop Super Eagles’ flight, says Lookman

Nigeria attacker Ademola Lookman is already setting his sights on the Afcon semis after boldly stating Angola cannot stop them in the quarter-final.

The Super Eagles have overcome a lacklustre start to their Africa Cup of Nations to reach the quarterfinal stage as the highest ranked team left in the tournament.

They will now play ‘dark horses’ Angola in the last eight phase hoping to go all the way and secure the title.

Nigeria come into the match as favourites, but they will not find it easy against Palancas Negras who are determined to cause an upset.

The last time the senior men’s teams met was in the 2006 World Cup qualifiers; Angola managed to win the first meeting by a solitary goal before settling to a 1-1 draw in the second one.

Ahead of the first ever AFCON finals meeting between the two countries, Nigeria’s Lookman – who was a star in the Round of 16, scoring a brace in the win over Cameroon – is confident their opponent will not stop them progressing to the semi final.

“We have worked so hard to get to this stage of the competition and we will continue pushing hard to achieve our objective,” the Atalanta winger told the media.

“The objective for us is to go back home with the trophy. We know we are not there yet, but it is something that is achievable.

“We know how strong the Angola team is even before the start of this competition. They have done well here and they have a lot of quality players in their squad.

“We will play with the same intensity and fight like we did in the previous game. I don’t see them stopping us.”

Nigeria have defeated heavyweights Ivory Coast and Cameroon in their previous games but the string of upsets in this tournament mean that anything can happen on the day.

Lookman and star striker Victor Osimhen will be under pressure to deliver for the Super Eagles in Ivory Coast.